Movie Review - Udta Punjab

Recently, the country was taken by storm - one created for liberalizing creative freedom in the field of art and cinema. Following a month long battle with the Central Board of Film Certification and then against piracy, the eye of the storm ultimately saw the light of the day. Bombay Velvet (2015) director-producer Anurag Kashyap unveils the starkly gloomy face of the Indian youth, particularly in the northern states through Udta Punjab. In fact, categorizing the film into one genre will be an act of injustice to the vision of writer-director Abhishek Chaubhey and his team.

The projected subject is not unknown but surprisingly the opening credits greet us with a hilarious yet precise reinforcement of the title. Drugs and addiction have been massively criticized for decades, but what we fail to acknowledge is the vicious circle it traps the consumer into, irrespective of class, culture, or gender. Revolving around the lives of four principal characters - Tommy Singh (Shahid Kapoor), Dr. Preet Sahni (Kareena Kapoor Khan), Sartaj Singh (Diljit Dosanjh), and a Bihari migrant laborer (Alia Bhatt) - whose contrasting lives somehow entangle into each other's, Udta Punjab stands out mainly because of its realism and honesty. Twenty minutes into the running time and one gets familiar with the swearing and corruption in the state. Shot in real locations, cinematographer Rajeev Ravi has done a commendable job in capturing the scenic locales of Punjab, marred by the disastrous effect of drugs. The music and background score aren't wondrous, but they pleasingly compliment the situations depicted, credits for which need to be given to the team headed by music directors Amit Trivedi, Benedict Taylor, and Naren Chandavarkar. 

With a sloppy first half, the only aspect that keeps you hooked to the film is the splendid performances. Kapoor's notable transformation into the eccentrically popular and cocaine-addict Punjabi pop star aka  'Gabru' is terrific. Though his character lacks variation, the in-the-face attitude takes you on a literal high. Khan and Dosanjh's subtle chemistry is the ideal break required between the grimy scenes. Popular Punjabi actor-singer Dosanjh is impressive in his Bollywood debut; his innocence as the typical Sardar policeman is naturally charming and strikes a chord with the viewer. Khan's doctor act seems like a reprised blend of her roles in Jab We Met (2007) and 3 Idiots (2009), but she never ceases to look gorgeous in any frame. However, if compelled to summarize Udta Punjab in two words, it would undoubtedly be Alia Bhatt. As the young girl whose dreams of playing hockey are crushed by society, eventually finding herself surrounded by the drug mafia, Bhatt is both convincing and stirring in what is undeniably her best performance till date. Post their stint as a couple in the futile Shaandaar (2015), Kapoor and Bhatt have experimented to new limits and emerged victorious amongst the rest.

As the second half progresses, you feel disappointed with editor Meghna Sen and screenplay writers Chaubey and Sudip Sharma. Some sequences in the movie do elicit a laugh, but others are easily forgettable. The stories seem scattered, leading to a rushed climax. Despite possessing a hypersensitive subject and a heart-wrenching end, the storyline in parts, lacks a connect. However, we cannot help but applaud Kashyap and Chaubey for their uncanny concept and daring struggle to successfully deliver it on the silver-screen.

 

Writer: Anushka J.

Editors: Ritchelle C. and Gunia K. 

Graphics: Ayesha S. and Harjot K.